Collapsible go-cart.



M. B. LLOYD.

GOLLAPSIBLE GO-GART.

APPLICATION FILED 14:12.12, 1910.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

M. B. LLOYD.

OLLAPSIBLE GO-GART.

APPLICATION FILED 1213.12, 1910.

Patented Ja11.5, 1915.

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THE NcRRls PETERS CO., PHOT-LITHO., WASHINGY'UN. D. l;

M. B. LLOYD. GOLLAPSIBLE Cro-UART.-

APLIOATION FILED FEBJZ, 1910` Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

MARSHALL IB. LLOYD, OF MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE LLOYD MANU- FACTURING C0., 0F MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION 0F MICHIGAN.

COLLAPSIBLE GO-CART.

Application led February 12, 1910.

To all 'whom it may concern Be it known that I, MARSHALL B..LLoYn, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Menominee, county of Menominee, and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Gro- Carts, of which the following is a full, true, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to the foldable or collapsible type of baby-carriage or go-cart.

The present application is directed to certain improvements in additions to and modific-ations of collapsible baby-carriage structures of the type claimed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 543,610, filed February 12, 1910. The said co-pending application relates to a baby-carriage structure which may by a single movement be quickly and completely collapsed into a compact parcel so that it may be easily carried about; and, which may also be opened by a single movement.

One of the features in my present invention resides in a novel foot-hood on the forward part of the main frame of the go-cart and adapted to cover the feet and legs of the child. This hood may or may not be made collapsible and may be provided with means by which it may be readily connected to the body-frame in order that it may be collapsed or raised simultaneously with the collapse on the `opening of the rest of the carriage structure; and it may be adaptedY for ready disconnection to make it operable independently of the rest of the carriage structure.

Another feature consists of the provision of ball and socket joints by which the braces extending between the cross-bars on the main frame and the supplemental Wheel frames may be connected thereto. These ball and socket joints make possible a structure which operates smoothly and easily and at the same time maintain rigidity in said structure when the carriage is open for use.

Another feature resides in the meansfor yieldingly suspending the body seat within the body proper thereby making riding easy and preventing the occupant from 4receiving' the shocks incidental to the movement of the carriage over rough ground.

Another feature comprises a yoke extending across the back of the carriage seat and pi-votally connected with the body-frame, in

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

Serial No. 543,611.

combination with yoke fastenings of novel form which serve to support the seat back in different adjusted positions.

My invention also consists in novel frictional, pivotal connections between the canopy frame and the body-frame, each thereof comprising plates carried by said frames and a friction spring washer all riveted together by a pivot pin or rivet and adapted to hold the canopy frame in any desired position without resort to manual fastenings. These plates may have their surfaces beaded or crimped to increase the friction between them.

Still another feature consists in providing a supplemental framework for the wheels which will support the axles of said wheels on both sides thereof, thereby preventing the axles of said wheels from bending out of their proper operating positions.

Still another feature comprises a locking yoke pivotally supported by the rear crossbar and arranged by spring means to automatically engage a fixed rod in said main frame when the rear cross-bar is in that extreme position of its movement wherein the carriage is in condition to be used. This lock is placed in a position where it is readily accessible to be operated by the foot. It

.is adapted to prevent the collapse of the carriage structure when the carriage is in condition for use.

Referring now Yto the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a structure embodying my invention, the carriage being in condition for use; Fig. 2 is a rear end elevation of said carriage; Fig. 3 is a plan-view of the carriage looking in the direction of the arrow indicated in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the wheelframes folded into parallel relation with the main frame; Fig. 5 is a view in elevation showing the body and the foot-hood, together with the means for connecting said foot-hood with the body-framework; Fig. 6 is a detail view of the lock adapted to prevent the collapse of the carriage structure; Fig. 7 is a detail view of the frictional pivot connection between thecanopy and the body frame work; Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8--8 of Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a detail view of a modified form of the pivotal connection; Fig. 10 is a sectional view on line 10-10 of Fig. 9;1Fig.r 11 `is a detailview o f a modified form 'of seat back',adjusting'means; Fig. 12 is a detail sectional viewof a modication showing a method of detachably securing the hood to the main frame; and Fig. 13-is a detail view of a ball and socket jointby which the braces are secured to the crossbars and wheel frames.

Like parts are'referred to by similar reference characters throughout the several views.

.In that form of my invention whichy I haveshown in thea'ccompanying drawings, 1 represents a rectangularly-shaped main frame which is adapted to supportlthe colsible superstructure and the inwardly foldling supplemental wheel frames, both of these being movablerelatively to said main frame andrfoldable Ainto intimate relation thereto.

The superstructure I haveiindicated generally by 3 and the supplemental wheel frames by'2. i f Referringnow particularly to Figsll and 2, the'supplemental :wheel frames comprise parallel bars 4 arrangedy onboth sides of the wheelsE 6, which are journaled therein; The endsof :these barsaresturned upwardly and terminate inthezpivots 8 vsupported bythe lugs 9 depending from the4 main frame 1. rIhese frames, fas' seen by reference to Fig. 4, are adapted to be swung onisaid pivots8 Atoward each other into parallel relation with the'main frame 1. The mainframe is'providedl with a rrear cross-bar 10 slidably mounted `to 'reciprocate to and fro on the guide-rods 11, shown in Fig. 3. Between the wheel-frames, and substantially the center of said cross-.bar,-are provided diagonal brace rods, 12, serving to transmit :the motion rof the cross-bar 10 to the wheel-frames 2. v These bracerodsv are connected to the cross-bar and wheel-frames by means of ball and socket joints 13 which readily adapt themselves to the relative changey in direction f of' movement of said cross-bar and said brace rodsare also connected to thel said cross-bar and wheel frame by ball and socket joints, 18, adapted to operate in the same manner as those of the rear kbrace-rods.v It will be noted that :both the 'rearandforward brace-rods 12 and 17, respectively, are in` tended to brace the wheel-frames-against swinging on their pivots when the carriage is open for use.;A ...The ,cross-bar -15 Aispro-` vided .with upward :extensions 2Qwhich servevj as one of g: the endsfof the? bodyefra'ineor superstructure 3. :The opposite rends Aof said 'Structure 3 are formed bythe bars-21- pivot'- ed at 22 to the l'main'frame l.- These sides and provide a deeper and more comfortable Thelbars 21 haveupward extensionswhich are connected atlthei'r upperend bythe bar 26 and are adapted to serve as a convenient cperatinghandle for the carriage. The said bars 21 with their yextensions 26 comprise a lever operating about ythe pivot 22by which the entire structure may be collapsed, and likewise opened by a single movement of the handle.y

iej'Iihe handle/26, when swung on itsI pivot, 22, .finthedirection 'of thefarrow, indicated in Fig. 1, transmits its motion'through link 23 to cross-bar 15vk by means of the 'eXtensions 20. Theicross-bar rotates on its pivot 16 and causes the braccrods 17 to draw. inwardly on the wheel-frames 2.l Simultaneously with kits movement, xthecross-bar 10 is pushed forward along themain-r frame by means of the links 28 extendingiibetween, and pivotallly connected fat, the points 29 and v30 on, the bars 21 .and the cross-barv 10, respectively. Likewisesthe braces 121-will operatevto Adraw inwardly: the wheelaframes 2. It will thus be seen that. when the handle, 26, isswung on the pivot y22 its movementis transmitted throughout the entire carriage and the body or superstructurey willfcollapse and Lthe wheel-frames will `be drawn or folded inwardly; si1r1ultaneously.l vinto Iparallel-relation with the .maine frame :and into a -compact parcel which may be easily carriedabout. f f:

Referring. to Figs-'1, 3, 5 and. 12, the hood 32; in its preferred formy is provided with a collapsible or folding framework 33 pivoted at point-1f6 to the transverse pivot rodr 16. This hood is arranged to collapse or fold downwardly parallel -with the main 'frame.l In order that it may be operated by the handle which collapsesvthe rest of the carriage, connecting links 35 pivoted at one end at points 36 36 to the frame ofthe hood are provided, the lnotches 37 'in their other ends being adapted to engage llugs 38`carthat theselinks may be h ookedor unhooked from the extensions-20 andfthat when they arefhooked o'n to;` Ssaid-'lugs-l ,38- theys iwill.' re'- ce-ive the movement ofthe extensions 20 and transmit tothe iframe.- o fv .the l:foot-limo''od- It is clearl'y manifest then thatby swinging the operating handle 26 on the pivot 22 the entire carriage structure, including the foothood, may be folded into intimate relation to the main frame. The foot-hood, on the other hand, may be folded or collapsed independently of the rest of the structure, if the links 35` are out of engagement with the extensions 20.

In order that the hood may be made easily removable from the frame for repairs, I have shown in Fig. 12 a structure by which this can be accomplished. The pivot rod, 16 may be provided with threads and a nut 39 on one of its ends to permit it to be removed from the frame l. The forward end of the lower frame brace 33 of the hood frame 33 is provided with two fixed pins or projections 39 which, when the hood is in position, are inserted into two corresponding holes 39 in the forward end of the main frame l. This forms a separable connection between the front end of the hood and the main frame 1, and prevents the :front end of the hood from dropping down. Thus it will be seen that in order to entirely remove the hood from the cart it is only necessary to remove the pivot rod 16 and then withdraw the pins 39 from said holes 39".

Referring now to Fig. 6, I will describe the lock which is adapted to prevent the collapse of the carriage when it is in condition for use. Cross-bar 10 illustrated in crosssection in said Fig. 6 is provided with lugs 40 upon which are pivoted the arms 41. These arms are provided with downward projections 43 to which are secured the springs 42 adapted to maintain said arms normally in their lower positions. The arms are also provided with notches which are intended to engage a rod 44 extending transversely of the main frame and fixed at a point in said .main frame just beyond the extreme limit of rearward movement of the cross-bar 10. Across the outer ends of said arms I have provided a yoke, 45, connecting the two arms rigidly so that they may be operated simultaneously. When it is desired to release the lock in order to collapse the carriage, the yoke 45 is lifted thereby disengaging the notches from the rod 44. The handle 26 is then pressed forward and the cross-bar will move forward along its guides drawing with it the lock arms 41 which will slide along the upper side of the rod 44. During movement necessary to open the carriage the cross-bar 10 moves rearwardly carrying the lock-arms 41 with it. These arms slide rearwardly on the rod 44 until the notches therein register with said rod. W'heu this happens the spring 42 will draw the arms 41 downwardly causing the notches to engage the rod 44 thus locking thecarriage against closing.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, 50 represents the converging ends ofthe canopy frame. These ends, 50, are secured to plates on each side of the frame. Mounted on the arm bars 23 are other plates 53 similar in construction to the plates 52. These plates are adapted to be clamped together by the rivet 55. Between the face of each plate and the head of the rivet, I have provided two spring washers 57 adapted to yieldingly press said plates into frictional engagement. The plates are correspondingly beaded at 56 in order to increase the friction between them. The friction between said plates should be sufficient so that when the canopy is adjusted on its pivot to any position it will be automatically maintained in that position.

Fig. 10 shows a modified structure. In this modification I have left the surface of the plates smooth and have placed between said plates the friction washers, 57.

In baby-carriages of this type it is desirable to be able to incline the back of the seat at any angle within reasonable limits. I have provided, therefore, convenient means for maintaining the back of the seat in several adjusted positions. This may be seen in Fig. 5 wherein 60 represents the back of the seat pivoted at G1 to the seat proper. A rod 62 bent to U-shape and pivoted at its ends tolugs (53 carried by the arm rods 23 is arranged to swing in the arc of a circle on said pivots and is intended to slide up and down along the rear surface of the back of the seat and to be guided thereon by the guide-straps 64. This rod thereby provides a convenient means for holding the back of the yseat in any adjusted position.

Fig. 11 shows a slight modification in the means for maintaining the back 60 in three predetermined positions. The back straps 65 at points intermediate their ends are doubled back on themselves to form a loop 66 into which the yoke 62 is adapted to enter. This forms a secure means of holding the yoke in place in its intermediate position.

The body 70, which may7 be of any sintable material, is suspended by the side portions from the arm bars 23 of the superstructure. Extended across the lower edges of these side portions are the upwardly curved strap-springs 72, shown clearly in Fig. 2. The seat 73 is rested on these strapsprings and is secured thereto by any suitable means at a point substantially intermediate the ends of said springs. The seat is by this arrangement yieldingly suspended with relation to the rest of the carriage structure and the occupant of the car will not be subjected to the shocks incident to the traveling of the carriage over rough ground since these shocks will be absorbed by such strap springs.

Secured at 8O by one of its ends to the front edge of the seat 73 is an apron 81. The other end thereof is secured to the upper edge of a dashboard 82 fastened at its lower edge in the lower part of the foothood Straps 83 extending from the dashboard through openings in the hood are provided by which the apron 81 may be stretched tightly to produce a convenient foot-rest. The straps 83 may be detachably secured in any suitable manner to the frame or hood.

I do not specifically claim the hood structure as described herein, such being described and claimed in my co-pending divisional application filed April 13, 1912, Serial No. 690,464.

As many modifications of my invention will readily suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, I do not limit or confine my invention to the specific structures herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. In a collapsible baby-carriage the combination with a main frame, of inwardly folding supplemental wheel frames pivoted thereto, said supplemental frames comprising side bars the ends of which are turned up\ vardly and terminate in pivots, cross bars supported by said main frame, braces eX- tending between said supplemental frames and said cross bars and connected thereto by ball and socket joints, and a handle for operating said cross bars to move said wheel frames inwardly and outwardly.

In a collapsible baby-carriage the combination with a main frame, of supplemental wheel frames pivotally hung from said main frame and adapted to fold inwardly, a slidably mounted cross bar and a pivotally mounted cross bar supported by said main frame, brace links connecting said cross bars and said wheel frames, a handle pivotally mounted on said main frame and linked to said cross bars for operating said wheel frames.

3. In a collapsible baby-carriage the combination with a main frame, a collapsible superstructure thereon, supplemental wheel frames pivoted beneath said main frame and foldable inwardly, a cross bar slidably mounted in said main frame linked to said superstructure and movable therewith, and links connecting said cross bar and said collapsible structure to said wheel frames to swing said wheel frames inwardly and outwardly.

4. In a collapsible baby carriage the combination with a main frame and a foldable handle member pivotally mounted at one end thereof, of supplemental wheel frames pivotally supported by said main frame to fold inwardlv therebeneath, a cross bar linked to the uhandle member and mounted,

. to reciprocate in said main frame andA adapted to cause said wheel frames to fold inwardly, a U-shaped bar pivotally secured to said cross bar and movable therewith, a fixed rod carried by said main frame, and notches in said U-shaped bar adapted to engage said Xed rod when the cross bar is in one of its extreme positions to prevent movement of said cross bar.

5. In a collapsible baby carriage the combination with a main frame, of supplemental wheel frames pivotally mounted therebeneath and foldable into substantially parallel relation therewith, a handle member pivotally mounted upon one' end of said main frame, a cross bar slidably mounted on said main frame and linked to said handle for movement therewith, links connect.- ing said cross bar to said wheel frames whereby the forward and `rearward movements of said handle swing said sub-frames inwardly and outwardly respectively.

6. In a collapsible baby-carriage the combination with a main frame and a handle member pivotally mounted upon the rear end thereof, of wheeled sub-frames pivotally mounted beneath said main frame and foldable into substantially parallel relation therewith, a cross bar in said main frame movably mounted thereon and linked to said handle member for movement therewith, cooperating means carried by said cross bar and said main frame for locking said cross bar at one limit of its movement, and links connecting said cross bar with said subframes whereby said sub-frames are moved inwardly and outwardly simultaneously with the forward and rearward movements respectively of said cross bar.

7. In a collapsible baby-carriage the combination with a main frame and a vhandle member pivotally mounted upon the rear end thereof, of a cross bar slidably mounted upon the main frame and linked to said handle member for movement therewith, a locking device adapted to retain the cross bar in its rearward position, said device being releasable by foot, wheeled sub-frames pivotally mounted beneath the main frame and foldable therebeneath when the carriage is collapsed, links connecting said cross bar with said wheeled frames for swingin said frames inwardly and outwardly as sai cross bar is moved forwardly and rearwardly respectively.

8. In a collapsible baby-carriage the combination with a main frame and a handle member pivotally mounted at one end thereof, of a slidable cross bar mounted at the rear end of the main frame, links connecting said bar to said handle member fortmove'- mounted. beneath the mainframe, andflinks 1.-;

connecting each of the cross bars to the subframes for positively swinging said subframes inwardly and outwardly sirrultaneously with the movements of said handle member. .Y

9. In a collapsible baby carriage the combination with a substantially rectangular main frame comprising side bars and end bars and a handle member pivotally mounted upon one end of said main frame, of guide rods secured to the side barsof the main frame, a cross bar mounted to slide back and forth on said guide rods, links connecting said cross bar to said handle member for Vmovement therewith, wheeled sub-frames pivotally mounted beneath the main frame and links connecting said cross bar to said wheeled sub-frames for swinging said frames inwardly and outwardly simultaneously with the forward and rearward'movements respectively of said handle member. f

10. In a collapsible baby-carriage a main frame and a handle member pivotally mounted thereon and movable into parallel relation therewith to collapse the cart, a sub-` frame pivotally mounted beneath each side of said main frame and operative connections between said sub-frames and said han. dle memberfor swinging said sub-frames inwardly and outwardly simultaneously with the forward and rearward movements respectively Yof said handle member, each of said sub-frames comprising two parallel barsfspaced apart and pivotally Yconnected at their ends to said main frame, and wheels pivotally mounted in said sub-frames between said parallel bars.

11. In a collapsible baby-carriage the vcombination with a normally horizontal main frame and a handle member pivotally mounted on one end thereof and movable into substantially parallel relation thereto to collapse the cart,j of sub-frames arranged to fold beneath the main frame and pivotally connected therewith, operative mechanism connecting said sub-frames with said handle member for swinging said subframes inwardly and outwardly, each-:of said sub-frames comprising substantiaily horizontally extending parallel dat bars, curved upwardly at their ends and pivotally joined to the main frame, and wheels interposed between said parallel bars and pivotally mounted thereon. i

12. In a collapsible go-cart, a main frame, depending members at the front and rear thereof, a wheel frame at each side of the main frame, each said wheel frame comprising a straight horizontal middle portionV and rip-turned end portions pivotally joined to the depending portions of the main frame, a handle pivotally attached to the main frame, and wheel-frame actuating members comprising diagonal braces, connected by ball and socket joints, to the wheel frames at the front and rear end and to movable members actuated from the handle.

13. In a collapsible go-cart, the combination of a main frame with-"fore and aft actuating members movably mounted thereon, a handle and superstructure foldable on said main frame and operating said actuating members, wheeled sub-frames pivoted on opposite sides of the main frame and foldable beneath the same, pivotal links extending diagonally from each said member to both sub-frames and the pivotal connections of said links comprising balls and sockets.

14. In a collapsible ,go-cart, the combination of a main frame with an actuating member movably mounted thereon, a handle and superstructure foldable on said main frame and operating said actuating member, wheeled sub-framespivoted on opposite sides of the main frame and foldable-beneath the same, pivotal links extending diagonally from theY middle of said member to respectivesub-frames, and the pivotal connections of said links comprising balls and sockets. Y. Y l

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 29th day of January, 1910, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARSHALL B. LLOYD.

Witnesses:

CHARLES GILBERT HAWLEY, JOHN R. LEFEVRE. f

opies o! this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, 'by addressing the Commissioner ot atents,

Washington, D. u." Y' 

